Knill, Yvonne
KNILL, Yvonne Elizabeth “Bonnie” (nee Porter)
October 24, 1939 - August 3 - 2024The family of Bonnie is saddened to announce her passing at Hospice Wellington, Guelph, on August 3, 2024 at age 84. Bonnie is lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her sons Richard and Jeffrey, daughter-in-law Donna, her grandchildren Dakota, Liza, Hana and James, and her siblings Beverly Turpin (Mark), John Porter, Clive Porter, Margaret Wylie, Geraldine Abbraccia and Susan Brown (Max). Born on October 24, 1939 at Dobb Hall Farm near the village of Little Stretton, Leicestershire, England, Bonnie immigrated to Canada with her family to Waterloo Region at age 8 where she lived for the remainder of her life.
Bonnie is predeceased by her father George William Porter, mother Margaret Norah Wilborne-Guest (formerly Maxwell) who died a few months after giving birth to baby Yvonne, stepmother Kathleen Nina Weston, brother Anthony Porter, sister Alison Marsh, brother-in-law Jim Wylie and sister-in-law Pat Porter.
Always hard-working and fiercely independent, as a single mother Bonnie started her own cleaning business as a means of supporting herself and her sons. She was a proud homeowner in Waterloo’s Laurelwood neighbourhood for 30 years and was known and beloved by both her neighbours and local retailers. Bonnie was a very active person. She loved curating her natural gardens, hiking the local walking trails, and participated in many recreational activities including downhill skiing as a member of the Toronto Voyagers Ski Club and with family well into her late 60s, played ringette in her 40s, took many summer family camping and boating trips, traveled across Canada and to the UK, Europe, USA, Caribbean and Asia, frequently met up with friends on Saturday afternoons to listen to Dixieland jazz, and proudly cheered on her sons and grandchildren at their countless cross country runs, wrestling matches, soccer games, sailing regattas, basketball tournaments, ringette games and cheer squad performances.
She lived fearlessly on her own for many years, was a 20-year cancer survivor and selflessly offered to help when anyone needed a hand. Toward the end of her life, her strong will was tested by struggles with dementia and metastatic cancer. Bonnie's spirit and energy was boundless, and she passed those traits to her children and grandchildren. We are comforted by the fact that she lived the fullest of lives and is now at peace.
The family would like to thank University Gates Retirement Residence and Hospice Wellington for their care and dedication during Bonnie’s time with them.
Cremation has taken place and at Bonnie's request there will be no funeral. On a date to be scheduled, family and friends are welcomed to gather to lay Bonnie’ s remains at Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo and celebrate her life. If you wish to honour her memory, a donation to Hospice Wellington or Canadian Cancer Society would be welcomed.
